STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3804

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 488

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 488, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

G.M. No. 488

JOHN EDWARD COLE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of JOHN EDWARD COLE from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and from thirty-five individuals.

Mr. Cole has extensive experience in government and law. Over the past twenty years, he has worked in some capacity with the law as a law clerk, private attorney, legislative aide, policy analyst, and legislative aide to various government officials. Most recently, Mr. Cole has served as the Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

In this position as the State's Consumer Advocate, he has led a staff of accountants, engineers, economists, attorneys, other specialists, and support personnel to protect and advance the interests of Hawaii consumers of regulated utilities. According to the testimony of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, "Mr. Cole's leadership and experience in the regulatory area in handling cases before the Public Utilities Commission as Consumer Advocate, as well as in the overall energy area with his assignment in the Governor's Policy Office, have clearly demonstrated his objective and analytic intellect, and that he is a judicious and independent decision-maker."

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair